Monday, September 8, 2008

Pac-10 Power Rankings: September 8

HUGE game for the Pac-10 this week. Definitely a matchup that will have the pollsters buzzing, the analysts working overtime to break down every aspect and fans scrambling to pay top dollar just to get a spot in the nosebleeds.

Of course, I'm referring to that powerhouse matchup between Stanford and TCU.

Psych!

To the power rankings! All 10 teams are out of conference this week.

1) USC Trojans (1-0, 0-0 Pac-10)They had a week to regroup, get healthy and most importantly, watch Ohio State look pedestrian without Beanie Wells against Ohio. Ohio! They're still riding high after jumping Georgia and OSU for the #1 spot in both rankings. Don't count on Beanie missing this game though; USC will have to get ready to get smacked in the mouth by the pounding OSU running attack.Last Week: ByeThis Week: vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

2) California Golden Bears (2-0, 0-0 Pac-10)I caught a lot of flak in the preseason for putting Cal this high, but they've done nothing but prove how much talent they've got. Granted, they haven't played anyone super talented, but they just handed WSU their worst loss in program history, Jahvid Best looks like he cant be stopped and they will not face a challenge until they host Arizona State.Last Week: California 66, Washington State 3This Week: at Maryland Terrapins

3) Arizona State Sun Devils (2-0, 1-0 Pac-10)Rudy Carpenter, the defensive line and the linebackers looked as strong as ever in their romp over Stanford, but the running game is still inconsistent until Keegan Herring comes back and carries a full load. There's no danger in this team overlooking UNLV on their way to their game with Georgia; Dennis Erickson wont let it happen.Last Week: Stanford 17, Stanford 41This Week: vs. UNLV Rebels

4) Oregon Ducks (2-0, 1-0 Pac-10)Justin Roper has been impressive and so has their defense, as expected. But now Jeremiah Johnson is a question mark after banging up his shoulder against a hapless Utah State team, but LeGarrett Blount stepped in admirably, also as expected. Potential trap game against Purdue this week; that team has quite a pass rush.Last Week: Utah State 24, Oregon 66This Week: at Purdue Boilermakers

5) Arizona Wildcats (2-0, 0-0 Pac-10)The stats don't lie (combined 110-16 score in two wins) but the opponents (Idaho and Toledo) do. New Mexico beat them last year and now they have to go to Albuquerque. Even ESPN is starting to call them pretenders. All things considered though, they are doing what they haven't done in recent years: beating the teams they're supposed to beat early on and doing it convincingly.Last Week: Toledo 16, Arizona 41This Week: at New Mexico Lobos

6) UCLA Bruins (1-0, 0-0 Pac-10)The conference is still buzzing about the Bruins shocking come-from-behind upset of Tennessee two weeks ago, but there are still major question marks. Which Kevin Riley will show up against Brigham Young, who's smarting from their great escape from Seattle? Will Khalil Bell be healthy and/or effective? Will the defense continue to show up? Too many q's to bump them up.Last Week: ByeThis Week: at Brigham Young Cougars

7) Stanford Cardinal (1-1, 1-1 Pac-10) Still have plenty of time to recover from being humbled by Arizona State, but that defense still can move pretty well. Their front seven got tons of pressure on the Sun Devil backfield throughout the loss and Toby Gerhart was still able to semi-effectively move the ball. They drop because they need to settle on a starting quarterback; the Pritchard/Forcier platoon will not work.Last Week: Stanford 17, Arizona State 41This Week: at TCU Horned Frogs

8) Washington Huskies (0-2, 0-1 Pac-10)They certainly put up quite the fight against BYU, didn't they? When Jake Locker is on his game, everyone around him is better, and that's the only way they'll stay in games this season. Their defense got thrown over and battered all day. If Locker doesn't play well, there's still no chance of the Huskies winning games. Oh, and by the way, the Sooners are waiting.Last Week: Brigham Young 28, Washington 27This Week: vs. Oklahoma Sooners

9) Oregon State Beavers (0-2, 0-1 Pac-10)They had a chance to redeem themselves with at least a strong performance in the most intimidating place to play in America. Being down 42-7 in the 3rd quarter will not win any friends. They'd better not slip up to a weak Hawaii team this week, because after the bye, there's a better than average chance they could slip to 0-5.Last Week: Oregon State 14, Penn State 45This Week: vs. Hawaii Warriors

10) Washington State Cougars (0-2, 0-1 Pac-10)Did anyone get the license plate number on the white car that just whizzed past us and into the end zone?Last Week: California 66, Washington State 3This Week: at Baylor Bears